Introduction

Forensic Entomology is the study of insects associated with a human corpse in an effort to determine elapsed time since death. Determining the time interval since death for a recently deceased individual (less than one month) requires a method which uses information derived from observations of the developmental stage of maggots. Another method requires the observation of successional waves or generations of insects to determine how much time has elapsed since death. This method is used if the person has been deceased for more than one month.

Using the stages of maggot growth and development to determine time since death on a recently deceased individual can be accurate up to the day or within hours of the inividual's death. The successional method is used to determine a broader temporal range, such as the season that death may have occurred. As more time passes, finding an accurate time interval becomes more difficult.

In addition to giving clues about the time of death, insects provide information about many different aspects regarding the circumstances surrounding death. For example, the presence of insects on parts of the body other than the mucous membranes may suggest the presence of external, traumatic injury such as a stab wound or a bullet hole. These injuries are very attractive to blowflies because they provide an abundance of food and a moist environment for their eggs. Insects may also provide clues to where a death may have occurred and if the body may have been moved after death.

The intention of this tutorial is to provide a general understanding of some basic methods of forensic entomology and to raise awareness of its importance in death investigation. It is important to note that these methods are only useful if the crime scene and insect evidence is properly handled, and that the insects are properly analysed by a trained forensic entomologist. Careful collection and transportation of the insect specimins is critical to the accurtacy of the investigation. For more information on how to handle and transport insect specimins, refer to the contacts provided in this tutoral.